The Union County 4-H annual Chick Chain Auction took place at Trevor Jones Livestock Auction, and it was nothing short of a success. Despite the forecast hinting at rain, the skies stayed clear throughout the event, allowing the auction to proceed without a hitch—though we were well-prepared with covered accommodations.
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who played a role in making this event possible. The overwhelming support from our community has been a key factor in the success of this long-standing tradition, and we cannot thank you enough for backing our 4-H youth.
The auction was led by two talented auctioneers: Darrell Dyer of Darrell's Auction and Dakota Smith of Horace Maynard FFA. Their energy and expertise kept the bidding lively and engaging. A big thank you goes to our judge, Kallie Noblin, whose keen eye helped ensure the event was fair and fun for everyone involved.
A special mention goes to Michael Cross, a representative from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, who took the time to attend the auction and test the chickens for avian flu, ensuring the safety of our participants and buyers. This is a part of a statewide campaign for monitoring avian Influenza.
We’re also incredibly thankful to Trevor Jones for providing the venue, his livestock auction in Andersonville, which served as the perfect backdrop for our event. And once again, our appreciation goes to Horace Maynard FFA for stepping up to sell concessions and help create an enjoyable atmosphere for everyone in attendance.
Chick Chain Results
In the Golden Stars category, the red ribbons were awarded to Dixie Ray, Reed Reno, and Jude Firkin. A blue ribbon went to Jepson Haynes for an outstanding showing. The Reserve Grand Champion title was claimed by Savannah Lee, while the prestigious Grand Champion honor went to Presley Lay. For the Black Star chickens, Ariona Payne earned a red ribbon, with the blue ribbon going to Asher Effler. The Reserve Grand Champion title was awarded to Zyon Copeland, and the Grand Champion for the Black Star division was Cooper Bowman.
Chick Chain Record Book Awards
In addition to the auction, the Chick Chain Record Book awards were given to 4-H members for their diligent recordkeeping throughout the poultry project. The record book is designed to help participants maintain accurate documentation of their projects, including feed and supply purchases, egg counts, mortality records and even a scrapbook.
This year’s Record Book winners are:
• Savannah Lee – Grand Champion
• Zyon Copeland – Reserve Grand Champion
• Ariona Payne – 1st place
• Reed Reno – 2nd place
• Jude Firkin – 3rd place
• Asher Effler – 4th place
The record book and Premier Exhibitor award programs have been instrumental in teaching our 4-H members the importance of dedication, recordkeeping, and community involvement—skills that will benefit them in future projects.
Premier Exhibitor Award
New this year, the Premier Exhibitor Award was introduced to recognize 4-H youth who have shown outstanding dedication to the Chick Chain project. To qualify for this award, participants had to attend three or more Chick Chain meetings and participate in the show and auction.
This year’s Premier Exhibitor certificate recipients are:
• Savannah Lee
• Reed Reno
• Ariona Payne
• Jude Firkin
• Jepson Haynes
This year’s Chick Chain Auction is a reminder of the strong bond between Union County 4-H and our community. Our 4-H members are fortunate to have such steadfast support, and we are already looking forward to next year’s event.
Thank you all for making the 2024 Chick Chain Auction an unforgettable evening.